A Paradise Lost: The Imperial Garden Yuanming Yuan

Young-tsu Wong

Published by University of Hawaii Press 2000

A Paradise Lost

The Imperial Garden Yuanming Yuan

Young-tsu Wong

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824863876

Overview
Contents

About this book

Noted for its magnificent architecture and extraordinary history, the Yuanming Yuan is China's most famous imperial garden. The complex was begun in the early eighteenth century, and construction continued over the next 150 years. While Chinese historians, and many Chinese in general, view the garden as the paramount achievement of Chinese architecture and landscape design, almost nothing is known about the Yuanming Yuan in the West. A Paradise Lost is the first comprehensive study of the palatial garden complex in a Western language. Written in a broad and engaging style, Young-tsu Wong brings "the garden of perfect brightness" to life as he leads readers on a grand tour of its architecture and history.

Wong begins by inspecting the garden's physical appearance and its architectural elements. He discusses the origin and evolution of these structures and the aesthetics of their design and arrangement. Throughout he refers to maps and original models of individual buildings and other existing gardens of the Ming-Qing period, including the well-preserved Yihe Yuan and the Chengde Summer Mountain Retreat in Rehe. A special feature of the book is its exploration of the activities and daily life of the royal household.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
List of Illustrations Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Part One Architecture
Chapter 1 Provenance Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	9
Chapter 2 Disposition Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	24
Chapter 3 Expansion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	51
Part Two History
Chapter 4 Rise Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	73
Chapter 5 Structure and Function Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	101
Chapter 6 Royal Daily Life Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	118
Chapter 7 The Sacking Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	133
Chapter 8 Repairs and the Final Blows Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	161
Epilogue The Yuanming Yuan Ruins Park Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	188
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	195
Glossary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	201
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	211
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	221
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	227

Language: English
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Main content: 238

eBook

Published: December 1, 2000
ISBN: 9780824863876